Chapter 667: Chapter 268 My Mother-in-law is a Loyal Servant (Part 12)
"Tuition fee, we really can’t afford it right now."
He Tiantian said with difficulty, "How about this, I’ve also read several books on Mongolian Studies."
"Husband, you go to the store and buy some brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, and I will transcribe three hundred thousand first, so Yanting can learn with me."
When He Tiantian spoke, Feng Zhongliang nodded vigorously, "That’s good, Xiuniang, you have read and know how to start Yanting’s education; let’s have him learn with you for the next two years."
In this time, Feng Zhongliang planned to figure out a way to earn some money; surely they could gather enough to send Yanting to a formal private school.
This was probably the best solution the couple could think of.
However, Feng Yanting was still somewhat unsatisfied.
It wasn’t that he looked down on his own mother, but rather, he just felt uneasy.
Even though he had the opportunity for a better, more professional education, it had been compromised because he had to repay Mrs. Zhang’s kindness and show loyalty, which resulted in him not being even able to afford school.
Feng Yanting’s face grew cold, and his resentment toward Mrs. Zhang and others reached a peak.
As for He Tiantian, she sighed seemingly without intention, "Actually, I am not the best learned in our family. If the lady could, well, never mind, after all, there is a distinction between higher and lower—"
A cold light flashed in Feng Yanting’s eyes.
Yes, his Mom, although she had read several books, was merely the granddaughter of a scholar.
As for Mrs. Zhang, her grandfather was a scholar twice over and had once been a Grand Scholar.
Both women, yet Gu Xiuniang was just a minor household female; even if she could read, her knowledge was severely limited.
Mrs. Zhang, on the other hand, came from a true scholarly family; it’s said that such noble ladies are taught by a professional governess from childhood, skilled in poetry, literature, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Nanny Zhao often boasted about how talented their lady was, marrying Marquis Pingnan was not her reaching above her status.
Therefore, whether in terms of family background or learning, Mrs. Zhang clearly surpassed Gu Xiuniang.
And because the Feng Family had redeemed Mrs. Zhang and others, they couldn’t even afford to pay for Yanting’s schooling, and Gu Xiuniang, a woman who had only read a few books, took the initiative to solve the problem by offering to start Yanting’s education.
And Mrs. Zhang?
She should be more qualified to be a teacher than Gu Xiuniang, yet she had never offered.
Mrs. Zhang had recently moved into the small courtyard next door; when she first came back, Nanny Zhao immediately took Yanting to pay their respects to Mrs. Zhang.
Mrs. Zhang fiercely protected Yanting, crying and showing great affection.
At that moment, Yanting thought that Mrs. Zhang really liked him.
Although Yanting quite disliked that Mrs. Zhang had spent all his savings to redeem some unrelated people, on second thought, his mother was right; the gold, silver, and jewels were all given by Mrs. Zhang.
Now that Mrs. Zhang had used them, it could be considered returning to the original owner.
At least, he, Yanting, no longer owed Mrs. Zhang anything.
Having experienced this ordeal, Yanting was wary of "owing favors."
He did not want to carry the heavy burden of "repaying kindness" because of someone’s small favor.
Too heavy, too suffocating.
The Feng Family could have lived well; even if the Marquis Mansion fell, they could have relocated and started over.
Yet, because of the character "恩" for grace, the Feng Family had become destitute and now had to take Mrs. Zhang and others back, treating them as revered ancestors.
"...Spending it all might be for the best, considering it settles the karma between me and Mrs. Zhang."
Yanting comforted himself inwardly this way.
Perhaps with such thoughts, Yanting no longer harbored such resentment toward Mrs. Zhang.
Moreover, to be honest, all along, Mrs. Zhang had been genuinely kind to him, Yanting.
Just like this time when Mrs. Zhang came out of the Heavenly Prison and saw him, she immediately burst into tears.
The concern, worry, and guilt in Mrs. Zhang’s eyes were very real, and Yanting was somewhat moved.
Held tightly in Mrs. Zhang’s embrace, hearing her sob uncontrollably even as she tried to suppress it, Yanting’s heart also ached.
For a moment, he even had the illusion that Mrs. Zhang was the elder who loved him most.
However, illusions are always just illusions.
Mrs. Zhang indeed liked him, but that liking was not enough to overcome the class barrier.
Mrs. Zhang was educated; she knew Yanting needed schooling but had never offered to teach him herself.
Perhaps, in Mrs. Zhang’s eyes, he remained just a lowly servant’s child.
Once protected very well by Feng Zhongliang and his wife, Yanting also grew up surrounded by food, fine clothing, and servants.
Thus, he had little concept of master-servant relationships or class distinctions, and if he did, he felt he was the master.